One of the most rewarding things about being a runner is being able to fully take in the world around you, and get a workout completed at the same time. If you're looking to take in a bit of local history in the making, while running in one of the most popular locations in the valley, take a trip to Tempe Town Lake, or what is left of Tempe Town Lake, immediately.
Last night, at approximately 9:45 PM one of the rubber dams at the west side of the lake burst, immediately releasing nearly all of the water in the 1 billion gallon man-made lake. Numerous paths and bridges surrounding the lake provide ample views of the rare sight of the water-less lake. For local runners who do not often have the chance to run by water, beware - the lake bed itself is beginning to smell like the ocean at low tide, and presumably will only get worse in the desert summer sun.
The four rubber bladders at the west end of the lake have been schedule for replacement since last spring, however work was delayed due to numerous factors and had not begun at the time of the burst.
Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman stated this morning that he feels confident the lake will be full and ready for use by the time of the Ironman Triathlon in November. He estimates a refilling time of approximately 2 weeks. The lake typically measures a 16 foot depth at the majority of it's depth. At this time, most of the water remains in small pools and puddles, with a depth of up to 3 feet reported at the deepest sections.
The included slideshow shows paths to cover along the lake if you'd like to view 'history in the making' yourself, and the state of the lake just hours after the burst.
Comments
that's what it looked like when I moved there. NICE!!!!
that city is horrible.
That is crazy!
Phoenix is my favorite place on earth!
let the salt run free.
"Besides dead rotting fish, officials found a number abandoned shopping carts, discarded pieces of drug paraphernalia, and four dead hookers".
I guess rubber dams weren't that good after all?
Its about time... The people who run Tempe aren't very smart
Tempe government are so unintelligent!!!
Crazy pictures! Thanks for sharing!
bridgstone warned them to keep the rubber wet with sprinklers or the sun would destroy them. i guess it was only a 200 million dollar investment.
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